Lions Clubs International has taken its 2026 World Diabetes Day awareness campaign to Gwarinpa Village in the Federal Capital Territory, targeting 3,000 residents with free diabetes screening, medication for diagnosed cases and food support as part of efforts to promote early detection.
The outreach, organised by Lions Clubs International Abuja Cluster, took place at Hakimi’s Palace in Gwarinpa Village under the theme, “Action: Early Detection Saves Lives.”
The traditional ruler Hakimin Gwarinpa, HRH. Prince Umar Bayero, expressed concern over the growing burden of diabetes, describing it as a serious health challenge contributing to illness and other complications.
Speaking at his residence during the outreach, Bayero commended Lions Clubs International for its consistent humanitarian interventions, saying the organisation’s efforts were helping to promote healthier and safer communities.
He thanked the organisation for bringing the awareness campaign and free medical services to the community.
Speaking during the exercise, the Abuja Cluster Coordinator for World Diabetes Day 2026, Lion Hadiza Abutu-Ibrahim, said the initiative was designed to extend diabetes awareness and healthcare services beyond the metropolis to rural communities.
She explained that the organisation had previously carried out sensitisation activities within Abuja but decided to take the campaign to Gwarinpa Village to reach residents who might have limited access to such information and services.
According to her, the outreach included free blood sugar testing, the provision of diabetes medication to people diagnosed with the condition and the distribution of food support to beneficiaries.
Abutu-Ibrahim said the target was to reach 3,000 people through the exercise, adding that community-based interventions were important because support extended to one household could also benefit other family members.
She added that the exercise was part of Lions Clubs International’s broader humanitarian activities, which cover areas including diabetes, childhood cancer, vision and other community needs.
Also speaking, the Region 3 Chairperson, Lion Ahmed Babagbemi Tajudeen, described diabetes as a condition that could go undetected for a long time because many people might not experience obvious symptoms in its early stages.
He said early screening was important because people could live with the condition without knowing their status until complications developed.
Tajudeen explained that the World Diabetes Day outreach was taking place simultaneously in other parts of the country, including Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Enugu.
He said beneficiaries diagnosed with diabetes would receive medication, while those requiring further medical attention would be referred for additional care.
He added that the organisation did not operate a permanent medical centre but took its services directly to underserved communities.
The Region 2 Chairperson, Lion Chief Peter Patrick, was also part of the leadership team at the outreach.
A beneficiary, Paulina Moses, expressed appreciation for the free screening, medication and awareness provided, saying the exercise had helped her become more informed about her health status.
She said she was grateful for the opportunity and intended to proceed with the medication provided.
Also contributing, Lion Dr Linda John highlighted the role of dietary habits in diabetes prevention and management.
She urged residents to pay attention to their food choices and adopt healthier meal plans, noting that changes in eating habits could support better blood sugar control.
World Diabetes Day is observed annually on November 14 to raise awareness about diabetes, its prevention, diagnosis and management. The Lions Clubs International campaign forms part of the organisation’s humanitarian focus on improving community health and expanding access to essential services.